This year 2013 we commemorate that 100 years ago Luigi Russolo published the L’Arte dei Rumori manifest. We can’t remember it as such because it took place before we were born, but we celebrate it- although it isn’t exactly something to be celebrated-. Russolo’s manifest is another link-perhaps one of the most solid- in the chain of events that mark the itinerary of the conquest of the sonic universe by homo sapiens sapiens. LEM exists to celebrate this constant, fortunate and perilous adventure. So we confess: we can’t remember when the L’Arte dei Rumori was published and we’re not celebrating it, instead we’re vindicating it. And we’re not just raising our voices; we’re howling, crackling, bubbling and humming to show this vindication. Each situation that LEM presents is a part of the same space-time continuum to which Russolo’s manifest belongs. From the homage to the departed Joan Saura -geneticist of noises- to the sonic explosion of Borbetomagus, through the primitivistic futurism of :zoviet*france: and C-Utter’s rituals of descent. Far from the pulchritude of the clinical and friendly noise currently in vogue LEM explores this historic line until the present day showcasing 25 projects that won’t leave you indifferent. Many of these artists are playing in Spain for the first time; another novelty is the inclusion of the Vinfonies multisensory project, and after three years we’ll finally return to the Santa Maria church for an electronics and organ concert, we’ll repeat the Àgape ritual and we insist: this year’s headliners are indispensible and as always the most interesting local projects are also present. We also want to highlight that the graphic design of this year’s programme has incorporated the illustrations of Marc O’Callaghan, resident artist of Gràcia Territori Sonor this year.

The severe budget cut that our organization has suffered from the public institutions over the last few months has forced us to cancel several activities planned in commemoration of the centennial: exhibitions, debates, concerts… in order to be able to make LEM possible, and it has also forced this project (which was necessarily professionalised years ago) to depend on the voluntary work and personal contribution of each organizer. It also forces us to reduce the number of free activities although we’ve still managed to keep prices affordable for everyone. Now, more than ever, your attendance is indispensible for the survival of Catalunya’s most veteran experimental music festival. Welcome to LEM!